Dragon’s Sacrificed Bride : Curse and Redemption

Chapter 3 : The Ray of Hope

The sadness of losing his daughter is so unbearable. His wife was crying her heart out over the painful feeling of losing her only daughter. His sons were mourning in grieve over the losing of their beloved little sister. The womens in the village were praying and weeping softly and the mens sitting in silent prayer. It's was a very emotional sad night after the villagers heard the shocking news about what has happened to Leah from the eldery. This is all because of his ineptability and powerless in protecting his own family and the villagers. He has to sacrifice his own daughter in exchange for the peace in the village. He couldn't hold back himself anymore, he stand up and walk to his bedroom.

He sat down on his bed and thinking hard on how to save Leah. His family still didn’t know that Leah is still alive. They only knew Leah become the sacrifice bride but he didn’t tell them the exact details on what happen that night. The elderly has forbade him not to tell his family the truth about Leah. They make up a story telling his family while Leah was running away, she fall in the river and drown into the darkness river.

He might be the head chief of the moonlight raven village but to his family he is none other than just a father. After he calm down his heart and mind. He started to think on how he can save her daughter and prevent the tragedy happening again for his next kin’s bloodline. If, for the next twelve year a baby girl is born and when she grown up at the age of sixteen. She will be the next sacrifice bride to the demon beast. He need to figure out a way to prevent it from happening again and again. It's might be his sons wife bearing the children or his grandchildren or his great grandchildren will born a baby girl on the dragon year. What should he do? He need to think!

" God, please help me. Please make me strong and guide me to prevent this tragedy that befell my family. Give me the strength to overcome this obstacle and to protect my own bloodline. Please help me god! " He asking in the silent prayer while folding both hands. 

He continue with his prayer again...

" If you can show me some sign, this i promise you...I will dedicated my whole life to you and be your humble servant. So, please help me my god! " He prayed desperately.

He felt so devastated. He wrecking hard his brains to think on how he can defeat the demon beast and save Leah. He knew it’s was impossible but he can ‘t think of a way yet. He sat alone in the darkness about almost an hour. He didn’t realised the time has passed until his son knocked on his door and told him he need to see the guest home. He have to comply otherwise it will be rude and unrespectful to the villagers.

He stand up and walk to open the door and was surprised to see his eldest son, Logan was still waiting outside his room. He knew what his son wanted to ask but not now. But now he need to see the guest went home first before he can explain in details.

“ Son, I know what you wanted to ask. But not now, I need to see the guest home. We can talk about it later. ” The head chief said to his son before he started to questioned him.

“ Father, can you spare me some time after you see the guest out? “ Logan asked with a curious looks on his handsome face.

“ I understand. We can have a talk later.” The head chief replied in weak voice and patted his son shoulder.

As soon he reach outside his home door, the villagers were still standing and waiting to bid him a farewell. Standing there, he think that he need to said something to the villagers.

“ To all my people, I would like to say something before you leave my house. Thank you for coming tonight and comfort our family. And also, thank you for praying for my daughter. My family will make a memorial service for my daughter Leah in the morning. Please becareful on your way home and return home safely. “ The head chief said and bid them farewell.

After the villagers leaving his house. He stand outside thinking on how can he explain to his family. He didn’t want to lie but he has promised the elderly not to say a words about that night. Then he remember what Leah last words to his family. He might have to make up some story and that’s the difficult part. He is afraid his son might notice he lied. After debating with himself for quite some time, he decided he will only answered a necessary question and no more.

He went inside his home and saw all his family was sitting on the chair in the living room waiting for him. He took and deep breathe and went to sit on the empty chair.

“ I would like to said something before you all started to ask. I know what it is you all wanted to know. You all must have a lot of question regarding our Leah. So, please be patient and listen. “ The head chief while took a deep long breath.

“ Our Leah has returned in the hand of the god. She is no longer with us but she is always and forever remain in our heart and memory. Our sweet leah is a strong-willed and adorable girl but it is our lost that she is leaving us at such a young age. Although, terrible things has happened to her that leaving us all in sorrow but I believe someday we will meet her again in heaven. We must be strong and have faith in what god has arrange for us.This is a test god have sent to us. So that is why, we must stay strong and put our grieves aside. I didn’t ask you all to forget about Leah, we will always remember her forever in our heart. Alwyas and forever…So, let us all pray for leah soul. May god bless her and keep her safe by his side. ” The Chief said in sorrowful voice.

The chief look at his wife crying softly while bending her head down to pray for her daughter soul in heaven. He saw all his son’s tear rolling down their cheek and bending their head in silent prayer. The chief know god will condemn his soul for lying to his family. He felt guilty to put his family in misery.He too then bent his head and started prayed to god that he’s promised to bring her daughter back alive and safe.

His eldest son, Logan suddenly broken the silent with curiousity. “Father, can I be allowed to speak?”

He didn’t know whether he can answer to what the question his son were going ask but he nodded his head and said “Yes son.You may speak, go ahead.”

“What I don’t understand is how leah can drown in the strong river when she is an expert in swimming. She can swin like a fish and even us can’t beat her on that?” Logan asked curiously.

The chief has expected this is the most curious question his son would had asked since they all know that leah is a good swimmer.

“I understand what it is you were thinking son but this is all god arrangement. We all cannot decide our life and death. It is up to the god to take whose life to be taken away when the time has comes. It is a pity our leah leaving us earlier than we expected.” The chief answer calmly.

“They must be another reason why father. I still don’t believe leah is drowning when I don’t even see her body.” Logan pressed the question hard.

“Yes, that is true father, Maybe leah are waiting for us somewhere coz she is so baddly hurt and laying somewhere out there expected us to find and saved her.” Leonard said in worrisome tone.

"Maybe what leon said is true. Leah is waiting for all of us to find her? Father, let's find her?" Lawrence the youngest son said.

The looks on his three son face was so full of hope, and so do his wife. The feeling of guilty eaten his heart in misery. They faith to believe that leah might be waiting somewhere for them to save her. He knew part of it is true but he cannot let his family know yet until he made sure of where the demon beast has taken leah. He decided to put a stop to his family wishful thinking about saving leah. He is the only one who will save leah and he will not let anything happen to them too.

"Now listen here, leah is death. The villlager saw that leah was drowning and swept along with the river. They already try to save but it is already too late and the water river was so strong and nobody can dive in to safe her at that time and so please don't even think of finding leah in that strong river. I forbid you all to do that! Is that clear? " The chief said while asking god to forgive him for lying to his family face.

''But father, leah is a good swimmer. She must be alive somewhere. All we have to do is to do a search party to find her. She must be somewhere and all alone by herself." Logan said in demanding tone.

"Please father, let's us find her!" Leon said pleading in desperate tone.

" No! Listen to me! Leah is dead and you'll are not allowed to find her in that strong current wave in the river! I already lost my daughter! And i swear to god that i will not lose my sons too! So, please help me god! This is end of discussion!" The chief said in anguish despair. He stand up and walks to his room, leaving his sons stare in disbelieve and puzzled over their father stubborness of not finding leah.

Once he reach his room, he closed the door behind him and nervously racked his hair. He is doing nothing but lied to his family. He know that he forever cannot lie to his family. He knew his sons has a stubborn trait in them too. He must not let them think of finding leah! Finding leah gonna lead them to the death! He must convince all his three son to not ever thinking of finding leah! He had to make them believe that somehow leah is dead! But how? He will figure it out tomorrow what to do after done the memorial services for leah.

On the other sis sons had another thinking. They thought they need to find leah whether she is alive or dead. In their sharing room, the three of them sit facing each other to discuss what they wanted to do tomorrow after their sister memorial services. They never once has defies their father words but for the first time in their life, for their one and only little sister, they will. They knew that their sister is still alive somewhere and waiting for them to save her.

"I don't understand why father doesn't let us find our leah?" Leon asked curiously.

"I don't believe that leah is dead too. She is a good damn swimmer. A more good damn swimmer than us all." Lawrence said in disbelief tone.

"Do you really believe all the nonsense talk about leah drowning?" Logan said while looking at his two little brother.

They both looks in confusion. Both looks written all the curiousity on the words logan just said.

"I don't believe in a single words uttered from the elderly mouth. It's not that i don't believe in father but as long as i didn't see leah body in one piece then i still believe that she is alive somewhere out there." Logan said in disbelief tone.

"Maybe you were right brother. i have doubt myself. They told us leah has been swept away by a strong wave in the river and they had search everywhere but to no avail they can't even find her body. This is so doubtful." Leon said in doubtful tone.

"Me either. I think our sister is alive out there. I have faith on her. I know she definitely not dead yet." Lawrence said.

" I think wew all need to do something. We must prove and convince our father that our sister is still alive. We need to find her no matter what." Logan said firmly.

"Ok. so what is your plan big brother?" Leon asked curiously.

"Yea..what's your plan? We cannot let father know what we all doing. Otherwise he is definitely will forbid us from leaving the house." Lawrence said

"I know that's why i had an idea. But i need you both to help me to cover when i'm not around. We all took turn to find leah. But we must have a time frame. We cannot be gone more than 2 hours. So, use you time wisely. Think! Where we cqn find our little sister. Lawrence, since you the one who more expert on our village landscape. Maybe you can start draw a map and give us a lead on possibility we can find leah. And Leon, maybe you spy on the elderly and listen to what they talking. The Elderly might mention something about our little sister. You both have to be careful not to get caught. We must act naturally in front of father and mother to avoid being suspectful. Am i talking clear brothers?" Logan said.

They both nodded in understanding.

"Ok good." Logan said with satisfying on his face. He is glad both his little brother are in the same league of him on finding their little sister.

"So, when do we start?" Leon asked.

"We start as soon as tomorrow, our leah is waiting for us to save her." Logan replied.

"Ok, I'll get it done the maps by tonite." Lawrence said and started to stand up without wasting his time.

"Leon, make sure you hang on the elderly every words. I suspected they might knew something about our little sister. But, i want you to be very careful and not get caught in eavesdropping. And also, make sure you follow father, i'm sure he knew something about leah too. But he didn't want us to know. Father is a wise men so make sure you keep your distance when you following him from behind. Make sure he didn't caught you in the act. Do you understand me brother?" Logan asked.

"Yes, i'll be very careful. You too brother...becareful on your journey to find leah. Please find her no matter what." Leon said in hopeful wishes.

A week after losing his daughter, he knew no matter how hard he's praying, god didn't show any sign to answer to his prayer yet. As a god believer, he thought maybe it's not god doesn't want to help him but instead maybe God has another plan for him. He thought maybe god asked him to move on with his life? Or did God has forsaken him?

He is absolutely will not let the demon beast get what he want! He wanted to take a revenge for his daughter! He didn't even care about his life eventhough he knew that the demon beast can kill him without hesitation. But as long as he can find a way to kill the demon beast which he knew is impossible but he is willing to take on the risk.

Yesterday, when he was on his way back to his house. He heard about some strange talking rumors among the women in the village about a Witch that living alone at the bottom end near the Riverside. He heard that the witch has some kind of powerful magic and she also can cure an illness. That's story has spark some interest to him. The feeling of curiosity about the witch was too strong. He thought maybe the witch can solve his problem! He need to find her tonight!

At midnight, he sneak out from his house without telling any of his family member. He remembered the town people said about the witch house is somewhere at the bottom end near the riverside. He walks along the road with the moon as a guidance. When he arrived at the riverside, he didn't see any house except a river and thick forest. He walk along the riverside until he arrived at the death end valley. Still...he can't find the witch house. But he won't give up just yet! He convince himself the witch house must be somewhere nearby.

After walking about an hour, he thought he might has lost his way in this big forest. He almost feel like losing hope to find the witch house. No! He already comes this far and he cannot easily gave up yet! He believe that he will definitely find the witch house. He must! After awhile, he thought he saw like a smoke coming from the direction to the west. He stopped then he heard some noise from behind him. He quickly turned and look around but saw nothing but just the darkness. It's must be his imagination or maybe there's an animal walks passby. Without wasting his time, he quickly followed the direction of smoke. Walk in deeper, he suddenly saw a bright light sparkling not quite far from his distance. Following the light, he walking until he saw a picture of an old wooden house. Finally, He found it! he felt so relieved that at last he found it! The Witch house!

He stand in front of the door and was about to knock when the door suddenly open up. He saw an old looking women wearing a black robe with a weird looking face. Her nose were long and there's a lot of freckles on her both cheek. He was surprised when the witch welcome him and say his name.

" I believe that we've never met before and I've never told you my name. " The head chief said in curiosity.

" Yes, it's true. I know who you are. Let's said that I know why you are coming here tonight just to find me. Did you come here alone? Owh..nevermind just come inside and follow me. " The witch open wide her door to let him inside.

Leon was so sure that when he is following his father out from the house, he knew his father are not aware of him following him from behind. He started to feel in confused as why his father were walking around inside of the dark forest in the middle of the night. He thought he must be out of his mind. But suddenly, his father stop on his track and he quickly hid himself behind the big tree.

"Pheww!!! Almost got caught. Luckily the forest is in darkness tonight and there's not so much of the moonlight." He muttered to himself.

He saw his father walking in a haste as if he saw something or someone out there. He quickly walk from behind quietly. Then he saw a light not to far from the distance of the house. Then he finally understand. His father is looking for the Witch! He was afraid for his father safety. He saw the witch invited his father inside the house. Then, he purposedly shown himself in the shadow to alert the witch that he know his father were there. Then, he saw the witch smiled at him. He felt an eerie feeling run thru his veins. He sneak in and went behind the witch house to eavesdrop.

Before she closed the door behind her, she look at the distance not to far away from her house. She saw a figure standing hidden near the tree. She doesn't need to guess as she already know who figure it is. She smiled...

The chief unfolded the cloak covering his head and went into the house. He close the door behind him and follow the witch from behind. While he followed the behind the witch, he look at the surrounding, the witch house has full of death animals and herbs smell. The potion smell is too strong until he felt it pierce thru his nose. He started to felt nauseated and almost has the urge to pinched his nose. They arrive in a small living room which has alot of weird things and eerie decoration. Pretending not to see, the witch pointed her finger to ask him to sit on the chair in front of her. He comply as the witch instructed.

The witch poured two cups of tea and offered one to him but he declined nicely. Then the witch look at him closely and started spoken...

" May I know on what's purpose has bring you to come over here at this late hour? " The witch asked.

He's stay silent for a while.... It's took him almost a minute before he spoken.

" I think since there's no need to waste both of our time, I'll speak straight to the point. I would like to make a request from you. I'm sure that you must had heard about the pacts that I've sealed with the demon beast. Can you undone the pacts? Can I get my daughter back? " he asked.

" What is already seal cannot simply be undone. As you know, you has sworn to the demon beast with your blood and lineage on the line. What has done is done, your daughter also has gone to the other world. I cannot bring back taken person back here. It is not my place to defy the god almighty creature. "

"Did you mean to said that my daughter is still alive?" He asked in wishful thinking.

"Well..yes for now. But i don't know for how long that beast will keep her alive. My guess maybe until the beast felt bored and them eaten her alive." The witch replied with a wicked laughs.

His daughter! He knew the witch has spoken truth but he is not ready to accept the fact yet! If his daughter really has gone to the other world! At least, he needed to find a way to get her back?

" I'm aware with all of what happened. If my daughter is still alive then I wanted to take bring her back. Tell me how can I kill the demon beast? I'll do anything you want as long as I can kill that filthy beast bastard before its can thinking about hurting my daugther! " He said in hissed anger.

The witch just listen quietly and staring at him. It's seem like something was on her mind. She can see a deep hatred and anger on the man face. But what he asking is not a cheap price to pay. If he is willing to do so then there's a chance for her to get what she wanted. She knew this man is willing to do anything to get her daughter back! This is her chance...

" Are you willing to do anything at all? Even if it might risked your own life? " The witch asked.

" I'll do anything! Anything! I don't care if I had to die! As long as I can get my daughter back! " He said in frustration.

" Are you willing to sell your soul to the devil? " The witch asked again.

The chief was in shocked to hear it but if the devil really can fulfill his desire then he didn't give a bit damn to sell his soul to the devil. In less than a minute, he made up his mind.

" If there's a price to pay then i don't give a damn even if my soul to be taken away by the devil. " He replied while stare straight at the witch eyes without hesitation.

He doesn't care whichever devil wanted his soul but no matter what happen to him as long as he can get his revenge and his daughter safely back to his side. If the price to pay is only his soul then so be it! He only hope that god will forgiven him for choosing this way. If there's a redemption then he is willingly to accept any punishment from God. He is still not aware of the witch intention...

He has been blinded by the anger and revenge. The witch knew this person is willing to do anything in order to get back his daughter. She can use him! The times has finally comes to get the things that she wanted for so long. She had the urge to laugh in happiness but she manage to restraint herself from doing so. She don't want create a suspicious movement or it will ruined all her plan. Suddenly curiousity overcome her. Does he knew what creature he is dealing with and further more it's  the most dangerous one too? Nah, she don't give a damn about it. That creature has the most valuable things she really wanted. But she think is it better to tips him some of the information regarding the beast.

" Head Chief, do you know what kind of demon beast you are dealing with? Have you ever seen the beast real form? " The witch asked curiously with one brow up. 

He actually has no idea.. thinking back..on the night he saw the demon beast, he only saw two eerie red eyes in heavy haze smoke. Never crossed on his mind what kind of the demon beast looks like.

If the witch didn't asked him, he never thought about it. It's makes him started to wonder in curiousity. He thought now only he started to realise that he never even seen the demon beast true form.

" I've never seen the demon beast true form. It's came just like a hazy smoke in the air and the eyes is the color of red blood. Other than that, there's nothing particular I've seen except the feeling of murderous intention towards all of us. " he said while furrowed his brow. 

" I see. So that things don't trust human too. " She muttered to herself. 

" Pardon me? " He asked in confusion. 

" Ooowh it's nothing, just talking to myself. There's nothing for you to actually worry. What I'm about to tell you, please don't get too shocked. This is for your own good to know what kind of beast you dealing with. " The witch said. 

He nod his head to show that he understood...